Barbra Streisand
's 2014 duets album,
Partners
, features the legendary vocalist performing songs associated with her storied career alongside a handful of handpicked guests. Produced by
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
and
Walter Afanasieff
,
is a duets album in the modern tradition of such similarly inclined releases as
Frank Sinatra
's
Duets
Tony Bennett
Duets: An American Classic
, and
Paul Anka
. The album also follows up
Streisand
's 2013 live concert recording
Back to Brooklyn
. As with that album,
works as a retrospective, with
revisiting songs she's recorded on past albums, such as her classic "Evergreen" from the soundtrack to her 1976 remake of
A Star Is Born
, performed here with
Babyface
. Also joining
are such luminaries as
Michael Buble
for "It Had to Be You,"
Stevie Wonder
for "People,"
Billy Joel
for "New York State of Mind,"
Andrea Bocelli
for "I Still Can See Your Face," and others.
John Mayer
even brings along his guitar for a bluesy,
Count Basie
-inspired rendition of "Come Rain or Come Shine." With
Edmonds
Afanasieff
on board, the tracks on
showcase a pleasing balance between
's various stylistic wheelhouses from Broadway standards, to adult contemporary pop, to classical crossover, and even a hint of country (as her duet with
Blake Shelton
reveals). While certainly a novelty, the digitally created, fan-service duet with the late
Elvis Presley
(
's original choice of co-star for
) is tastefully and lovingly crafted. Ultimately,
works as guided tour down
's memory lane, and with her resonant voice still in supple shape, any excuse to hear her sing is a welcome invitation. ~ Matt Collar